Speaking at a Golden Jubilee event, Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam hailed tourism as one of the fastest and most effective engines of job creation in the island nation. The sector, he said, represents a major economic opportunity capable of supporting the rebalancing of the country’s economy. He also took the chance to call for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors that “will elevate the industry to new heights.”

In what he recognised as a highly competitive international market, Ramgoolam noted the 1.4 million tourist arrivals in Mauritius in 2025 and expressed ambitions to further enhance the island’s reputation for a high-end visitor experience, based on a strategy marrying together sustainability, diversity, and authenticity.

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Alongside improvements to airport infrastructure, digital connectivity, and development of the nation’s legal framework, Ramgoolam said the proposed brand-new digital recognition and electronic travel authorisation system would boost Mauritius’ position on the worldwide tourism map.

The overhaul of Mauritian entry procedures is expected to remodel entry and exit procedures for all travellers, slashing wait times and bureaucracy for visitors and Mauritian nationals. But while details and a timeframe are yet to be announced, Mauritian entry protocols remain unchanged.

A majority of foreign arrivals to Mauritius enjoy visa-free entry for short stays, and others must either apply for an advance visa or go through the process on arrival. An element of digitisation already exists in the form of a Mauritius All-in-One Digital Travel Form to be completed before the journey commences to obtain a PDF with a QR code for presentation to health authorities on arrival. Not completing this before setting out means dealing with paper landing cards that are time-consuming and inefficient.

Ramgoolam’s promise of digitisation came at a Golden Jubilee event marking the 50th anniversary of Constance Hotels & Resorts at Constance Belle Mare Plage, attended by an audience of public and private sector travel and tourism stakeholders. The CEO of Constance Group, Mr Clément Rey, also addressed the audience, celebrating Constance Group’s contribution to the national economy and confirming the group’s alignment with the government’s sustainable development approach.

L’article Mauritius prepares to introduce electronic travel authorization est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

1. Phase 1

Mauritius announced it will be opening in phases during 2021, with the first phase being from July 15th to September 30th. This stage will allow vaccinated travellers to visit a resort on the island, where holidaymakers will only be able to enjoy facilities within their resort premises, including the swimming pool and beach. Only guests who stay more than 14 days and have negative PCR tests during their stay in the resort will then be able to explore the rest of the island.

Mauritius will be welcoming international travellers from 15 July 2021! https://t.co/t5Nvo5v0Pf pic.twitter.com/kETabRZXc9

— Mauritius Tourism (@SeeMauritius) June 11, 2021

2. Phase 2

The second phase of the destination’s reopening will begin in October. Vaccinated travellers will then be allowed entry to Mauritius without restrictions as long as they present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure. Holiday makers will be allowed to explore the island as they wish and can choose to stay either in resorts or elsewhere.

L’article Mauritius reopens to tourists on 15th July est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

“Mauritius is looking forward to welcoming back visitors to our Indian Ocean paradise island safe in the knowledge that we are a luxury Covid secure destination,” the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Agency (MTPA) said in a statement.

The vaccination roll-out program in Mauritius was plan to start well ahead of the borders opening later this year. Hotel employees, Air Mauritius, airport staff, and other front-line tourism workers will all receive the vaccination as a priority.

“The Government has confirmed that a 14-day quarantine period will remain in place whilst the initial batch of vaccines are administrated to give public health experts and scientists an opportunity to analyze the rollout,” the MTPA said in a statement.

Officials have not disclosed a more specific time frame to reopen tourism but indicated that proof of vaccination will be important as an entry requirement. All international visitors require to present valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate

“2020 has been a difficult year for everyone within the tourism sector and we are working closely with operators, airlines, hotels, and other stakeholders at home and internationally to ensure that we can reopen safely and securely in 2021.

MTPA Chairman Nilen Vencadasmy

Before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, Mauritius welcomed about 1.4 million visitors annually, including roughly 140,000 Brits.

Once borders open in Mauritius, Brits planning to visit the island will need to provide a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to enter the country.

L’article Mauritius will only allow vaccinated tourists to enter est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.